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Monday, May 8, 2017

[UPDATE] Northlake Mall Still On Track, "Momentum Building"

The long burned out Northlake Mall sign fits the mall itself perhaps a little too well

New owner "committed to project."

I have received a number of emails and comments about the status of Northlake Mall. To that end, I followed up with Tony Ruggeri, President of ATR Corinth Partners, the Dallas based firm that purchased Northlake Mall in early 2016. Mr. Ruggeri says he and his firm are "committed to the Northlake Mall project" and that things are progressing, albeit slower than he or residents may have hoped.

A 20 year veteran of the commercial real estate industry, Ruggeri has developed, redeveloped, owned, and managed over 2 million square feet of commercial real estate.

Northlake Mall, originally built in 1971, was for much of its life owned by mall powerhouse Simon Property Group. The 962,000 square foot mall is located off I-285, bordered by Briarcliff Road, Henderson Mill Road and Northlake Parkway, and is today anchored by JCPenney, Sears, and Macy's. (Former anchor Kohl's closed last year.)

When I spoke to Ruggeri in February of last year, he said that he and his team have done their homework and saw "tremendous potential" in Northlake Mall. That belief has not changed.

The prominent Northlake Mall front entrance

As I and other readers noticed, a conceptual site-plan of the redevelopment of Northlake Mall, previously available to view on The Shopping Center Group's website, has been removed. I asked Ruggeri what prompted the change. According to Ruggeri, the plan, as limited and simple as it was, was never meant to be made public and once he was made aware of its availability, he instructed TCSG to remove it. Its removal is no indication of a change in leasing direction, as The Shopping Center Group is still assisting them in their leasing efforts.

The site-plan, which I studied, offered little substantive information and will likely change significantly by the time the final plan is unveiled. While I won't get into specifics of what was or was not on the plan, it's safe to say that all options are being considered as it relates to how best to breathe new life into the mall.

It's worth noting too, that Macy's, JCPenney and Sears, like basically every other department store, are all closing stores and their intentions at Northlake may very well play a part in how the redevelopment shakes out. It's also possible that one or more of the anchors may stay, but "right size" their stores to become both more efficient, and sublease or sell their excess square footage to ATR or another retailer.

The popular Northlake Mall fountain was still in operation on my recent visit

The idea of Sears cutting their square footage by half and subleasing their upper level and auto care parcel to Kroger for a larger store and fuel center makes a lot of sense to me. (A similar plan was previously proposed at the Sears at Cumberland Mall, but the plan fell apart after Sears spun off that store, and others, into a separate REIT, Seritage Growth Properties.)

Additionally, another reader questions why Northlake Mall is not listed anywhere on the ATR website, especially under "Current Projects." For similar reasons to the removal of the preliminary site-plan, Ruggeri and his firm are cautious not to put information out "in the public domain that may change as the project evolves." Ruggeri added that when they are ready, and the ink is dry on their leases, "we will blast it!"

Ruggeri recalled another project they worked on in another state where rumors started flying that a "big name" anchor retailer had signed a lease with them. He was asked for confirmation and refused to confirm citing active discussions. In reality, a lease was "two days from being executed." In those two days, the "big name" retailer eliminated all "secondary market" expansions, of which their project was one, and ATR had to pivot in another direction to fill the space.

While Ruggeri was very tight lipped about potential tenants for Northlake Mall, he did say that they remain "encouraged" with the number of prospective tenants approaching them about the project. I asked whether he viewed interest in the project as more, less, or about the same as when it was announced, to which he said "definitely more, momentum is building."

A few weeks ago, I noticed a survey, "Northlake Mall Redevelopment Questionnaire," shared on a popular Tucker facebook group, "Tucker Town Talk." The survey was described as "A general unbiased questionnaire for people who want to impact the development of Northlake Mall in Atlanta, Georgia." While the idea was good, mentions of "Lenox Mall" and "Atlanta Station" and a very random assortment of restaurants and retailers indicated to me this effort was not a "sanctioned" survey.

Ruggeri and his firm are aware of the survey but did not play any part in its creation or distribution. That said, Ruggeri indicated his firm may review the survey to gauge the community's interest in certain types of tenants but it's by no means a sure thing that if a certain restaurant or retailer is mentioned, that they will be able to bring them to Northlake.

Just like when someone buys their first home, a tremendous amount of research goes into the final decision of where and when to open new business locations. ATR and the community could want X, Y and Z retailers and restaurants but at the end of the day, it's up to the tenant to decide if the Northlake community can support a successful and profitable business.

You're a Northlake native if you shopped in this space when it was The Disney Store

Given the complex nature of the redevelopment and the state of the retail market today, Ruggeri was hesitant to say that any "deals" were far along enough to where there might be news to announce at this month's upcoming ICSC RECon in Las Vegas, but he assured me that ToNeTo Atlanta readers will kept in the loop when there is news to share. As Ruggeri sees it, the worst thing you can do is over promise and under-deliver, so his firm wants to be sure leases are fully executed before exciting residents over new tenants.

At Gwinnett Place Mall in Gwinnett county, another former Simon property, new owner Moonbeam Capital Investments is reportedly "rethinking" their redevelopment plan for the struggling mall. Moonbeam purchased the 1.3 million square foot mall of out foreclosure in 2013, and for the past few years, has been finalizing their redevelopment plans. Now, as the AJC reported last week, “We still have some obstacles that we want to make sure we are clear on,” according to Moonbeam CEO Steven Maksin. Despite failing to submit plans to the county this past March as had been expected, Maksin indicates his firm "would like to do it this year." When the plans are submitted, Maksin said he expects them to include apartments, offices, entertainment and less shopping. To those who doubt Moonbeam's vision or ability to deliver on their commitment, Maksin offers this, “Wait and see,” he said to tell people in the community. “We will surprise you…. Positively surprise you.”

The skylight in the Northlake Mall food court is pretty awesome

Back at Northlake, the commercial corridor surrounding the mall is riding a redevelopment wave that has brought the area a number of new retail and restaurant options with others opening soon.

Sprouts Farmers Market recently opened its new location at Tucker Meridian while DSW and Dick's Sporting Goods expect to open May 11th and 17th respectively. Hobby Lobby and Ross Dress For Less and a host of eateries also expect to open at the project later this summer.

This past February, Aldi opened a new store in a portion of a recently downsized Best Buy at Northlake Square shopping center. Nearby, Starbucks is expected to relocate from Northlake Tower Festival to a new drive-thru space where it will be joined by a new Willy's Mexicana Grill and an Aspen Dental office.

What would you be most excited to see open at Northlake Mall or in the Northlake Mall area? Do you current shop Northlake Mall for any one store or service? If so, what is it?

77 comments:

I live near the Northlake Mall and never shop there but I don't shop Macy's, JCP or Sears anywhere. I drive to Brookhaven to visit Costco and Lowe's - which would both be GREAT additions to the Northlake area.

With all the destruction going on in the retail (shopping) and restaurant industries nothing on a local consumer's Wish List at a dead mall really matters. The delay(s) revitalization in certain areas speaks volumes. I live in an area that needs to stop leveling trees for buildings that will all but certain be vacant. Consumers with the real power to spend are not spending. Personally and with many I know, education and health care expenses are most important right now. The recession never really ended and what you are seeing now was designed to happen.

Eli, did you ever get a sense that the footprint of the mall will change? In my mind that's a huge part of what's wrong with Northlake and most of the other boom-era malls, but Northlake in particular. The vast bowl-shaped asphalt moat is unapproachable and unnecessarily large.

I think these guys have completely whiffed on the current real estate bubble. Look at all the prime users going in all around them and they have absolutely nothing while they continue to "assess and build momentum." I'm afraid they are building nothing.

Same with Gwinnett Place. I don't think anyone is going to be surprised.

To the above commenter @8:45am, I am just curious why you feel the recession never really ended?

I hope the current anchor stores - Sears, JCPenney, and Macy's - will remain at Northlake. I would like to see more national chains (i.e. Gap, Old Navy) return to the mall, and would love to see the food court revitalized.

To the above commenter @8:45am, I am just curious why you feel the recession never really ended?_________________

Watch how quickly the economy erodes this year- as indicators are all pointing that way - and we fall quickly into a deep recession. The US economy has been on cruise "control" and was set to have HRC firmly on the gas pedal by now. Trump is inheriting Bush's failing economy.

Low-growth Northlake has a strategic I-285 location, but is a stepchild to rapid growth Decatur and rapid growth Brookhaven/Chamblee (high incomes, high home values, high millennial populations). With an metro-wide oversupply of options available to a limited supply of retailers, Northlake is not the most desirable landing pad for a big box retailer or a big corporate user. Northlake Tower Festival, North Office Park, and Northlake Mall's struggles over the past 25 years may be too large to overcome, despite the surrounding affluent single-family demographics and economic bursts. Tucker Meridian might be successful, but it might not be. Time will tell. I live here - had always hoped it would become Atlanta's working class "Vinings." but Vinings has The Home Depot, corporate growth, millennial attention, a view of downtown Atlanta, and exclusivity, of which Northlake has none.

...all I know, having grown up shopping there, is that there are very few reason's for me to go there now, after all, how many "sporting goods" stores does one need? Or lower quality ethnic clothing stores or junk/crap kiosk's? put shops in there that are a little more upper class similar to it's hay day....

I think a Costco and Lowe's would be great as someone else said. maybe a BJ's. It would be a cool place to have apts and condos as well as a exercise, club a shooting range, a children's fun center and a medical clinic. What I'd most like is that thyey close that entrance on La Vista Rd. It ruins that turn lane onto Briarliff Rd. and it's not even needed. There is one right around the corner that goes to the same place and then there is the main one at the light. Also, there is a need for a Left Turn Lane from Briarcliff to Henderson Mill Rd at that traffic light.

Old Navy, Bed Bath & Beyond and maybe, just maybe that elusive Trader Joe's in the front part of the old Kohl's? Hey, a girl can dream. Ulta, Steinmart and a good children's store would be welcome as well.

Northlake owners need to take a look at Cumberland. While Cumberland is not on par with Lenox or Perimeter as a mall, it has become a destination because of 1) Costco, 2) Apple, and 3) the restaurants. If North Dekalb can't get Costco to go there, maybe Northlake can? Can the area support a few restaurants like Cumberland has? I don't see why not. Maybe not the number at Cumberland (Maggianos, Cheesecake, Teds, PF Chang, Buffalo WW, Stony River), but maybe 3 or 4? Seems logical. Though I know there's more than just "logic" involved in doing all this.

Anything has potential, even "tremendous potential." A lottery ticket has tremendous potential, but how many are actually winners? New management, the start of a new day, and a rocket fired by Kim Jon-un all have tremendous potential. Derrick Rose and Tim Tebow had tremendous potential. but what does it all really mean? You gonna revamp the mall or not?

(Danny Manning was also reported to have tremendos potential when the Hawks foolishly traded Dominique Wilkins for him, and I bet that curse has prevented them from even showing up in an NBA Finals. Yeah... still mad about that).

Oh and NO ONE believes the site plan was never meant for the public to see. If the president has time to tweet about insignificant things, surely a developer who isn't dealing with national health care concerns and foreign affairs should know what is on his company's websites.

And as many times as manufacturers change their designs from the original concerpt to the production car, surely the public can withstand changes between one site plan design and the final version. Not EVERYONE in America is stupid. (and if a college education/degree hangs on any of his walls, he should file a fraud/theft by receiving lawsuitcomplaint/charges, because they definitely did not provide him with the education that he paid for)

How many "big name" retailers did The Battery announce before one shovel/backhoe was onsite? I can do this all day...

Who are these anchors gonna sublease their space too? The mall is already strggling with trying to find tenants for their current vacancies!

Now on to Moonbeam...who wants us to "Wait and See." This isn't Christmas, and you aren't Santa. The public was supposed to "wait and see" what health care for everyone was gonna look like, and pre-exisitng conditions aren't covered anymore. Wait and see might work for 1st graders during the holidays, but it's 2017... produce or get off the pot.

Finally... @ Anon 8:45 AM... the recession DID end... you people need to stop thinking that the economy is bad. The jobs you USED TO have are not coming back! The economy is positively GREAT for those who understand it, and those who have taken control of their destinies. If you're waiting for a mill to come back, or waiting for your phone to ring for a new job, get off your butt and get out there and do something for someone for a fee.

Piggybacking off of what JL said, if you can't get Costco, get a BJs. There is not one inside the perimeter at all, and the closest one is on the other side of the city @ Camp Creek. You are definitely right on modeling the mall after Cumberland. Get a movie theater that people want to go to, and what about an entertainment place like Main Event or maybe a Putt Putt golf? Think outside of the box. If their sales team can't land any merchants they are willing to name, then FIRE THEM and get people on staff who produce results.

Anon @ 11 AM is clearly delusional, and maybe wants attention. An oracle you are not. I believe the oracle in the Matrix more than I believe you. I believe the Mercedes-Benz stadium will finally fix their roof before the Falcons take the field more than I believe you. PRODUCE FACTS OR IT DIDN'T (WILL NOT) HAPPEN.

I agree with Sam the Sham. I'm an older shopper who lives in the neighborhood and has lived in the area most of my life. I shop at Macy's, Penney's and sometimes Sears. New stores and restaurants would be nice.

Retail is dead. Bulldoze the whole thing and build an awesome, walkable residential neighborhood with houses that are reasonably priced. There is huge pent up for mid-priced single family homes ITP, but not for brick-and-mortar stores. My parents live in that type neighborhood in Charlotte. They have great sidewalks, a park, can walk to a couple restaurants and the grocery store. The parcel of land is large enough to support all of that, and an influx of families would help support additional dining options and the revitalization of other existing centers.

The food is the best part of Northlake Mall. We regularly go to get ice cream at Tio Tino, and gyros at Taste of Egypt Mediterranean Grill. Fork in the Road on the other side is another unique and tasty place to eat. I think having a couple good stores that draw people in to shop because online purchasing isn't optimal would be best. A used book/goods store like Book Off in California or Second and Charles would be good to encourage local interest. Build-a-bear isn't my cup of tea, but it is interactive too. Also looking at local businesses would be good. A consumer can go to just about any mall they want to find the same set of about 25 businesses, and all those businesses generally have online outlets too. Bring in local artisans, more unique eateries, maybe host a farmer/artist market regularly. That is the kind of thing I would be happy to see.

It's a perfect location for a COSTCO and a smaller scale version of the Brookhaven business/ residential model. Caveat: the bordering streets must be widened and reconfigured. Another consideration is an outdoor shopping center like The Forum. Greenspace would be nice, but probably out of the question since it isn't profitable.

Northlake Mall is exactly one mile from my front door. My husband and I are in our mid-thirties and dine out weekly in Atlanta, as do many of our neighbors. We typically drive out of our area to Decatur, Brookhaven, Emory Village. I would love to start spending my money where I live and contribute more to our wonderful community. There's a definite want for popular chain restaurants, unique local restaurants and bars, some boutique clothing stores, & specialty grocers like Trader Joe's. Something like The Forum would be a dream that my neighbors and I would take advantage of on a weekly basis! I think our area can support retail and restaurants like this, and I believe it could bring in consumers from neighboring communities as well.

Retail isn't happening. How long has ballys, toys r us etc been closed? The whole area is over-retailed. The best plan here is to build new retail/restaurant on the curb, bulldoze the entire indoor part of the mall leaving only front entrance retail and restaurants with parking in the center. Put single family development where the asphalt is now all the way into the trees and "north lake". This is a very desirable area for single family.

Decide Dekalb will abate the property for 30 years as incentive.

If you're anti residential Deklab County is looking for land for a new public safety complex. Take your pick.

Nothing is going to happen here until the majors go out of business. They own their buildings and thus control the mall property. If Sears finally dies in a ugly day as it looks like it will and Macy's or Penney closes as it looks like they might, it allows the developer some flexibility. Until then don't get your hopes up.

Having Trader Joe's or Costco in that space would be so wonderful! Local eateries would also be great. I would love to see some of the Decatur-style bar/restaurants in this area - and a really good sushi restaurant!

I'm pretty sure any of the aforementioned retailers would LOVE to sell that "asset" and get out of that cemetery mall.

As far as the residential development mentioned above (Anonymous 5:01pm) I don't think it would be profitable to purchase a massive chunk of expensive commercial real estate, spend a fortune rezoning it and developing it with mid-level homes with lots of parks and green space. That would be a massive losing endeavor.

I don't think the Forum would fly in that area either. Upscale retailers have avoided that area for a reason. I do like the entertainment complex idea - nice movie theater, etc.

and @Anonymous 6:14pm, yes- MASSIVE real estate boom. I work as a commercial real estate attorney so I kind of have a feel for these types of things. Since you are a chicken little -the sky is not falling, it is just the endless number of cranes improving real estate all over the city that is dimming your sunshine.

Do people not realize most retail and restaurants are struggling to survive? The Northlake area residents might feel they have been overlooked, but your dollars have showed many of these corporate entities you will travel nearby to shop and dine. Look around the metro and the places that are attracting new business. If you are not in one of these hot spots then revitalization is not in your near future.

Anonymous said...Nothing is going to happen here until the majors go out of business. They own their buildings and thus control the mall property.

... True, but if people stop shopping at these anchors and they go out of business, doesn't that send the developer a financial message about the lack of profitibility in revitalizing a dying retail environment? Personally I think most people want to see these dead malls razed to the ground already sometimes their is just a point of no return.

"I work as a commercial real estate attorney so I kind of have a feel for these types of things. Since you are a chicken little -the sky is not falling, it is just the endless number of cranes improving real estate all over the city that is dimming your sunshine."___________________________________________

It's sad that you feel the need to come here and outright lie about yourself and the dire straights our economy is in. When you insult others you clearly give yourself away as an impostor. Now run along to another site to brag and troll about your faux juris doctor expertise.

The people saying to bulldoze the place are sooooo right! Rethink the whole thing, and put some greenspace in there, and maybe even a small amphitheater for small concerts! Make it a destination place, and people will come again.

The best candidates for this space include smaller, even boutique shops, an entertainment area with restaurants and bars, a medical office area, and green space for walking, dog park, playground, etc. No mall. No big boxes, although a Costco might do well there. The residential area is high enough income to prefer that to any other discount-type store. But what we really need is a gathering place that people want to come to.

Just a note on the stock market. First, it is not always a reflection of the economy; it's driven by reported corporate earnings which do not necessarily dribble down as President Reagan suggested. More important, the stock market has been on a major upswing for years; the most significant upswing was from a retracement in May 2008. But that was just a retracement from an already powerful uptrend. As to the economy, you just can't generalize if your interest is local. The economy here in the Northeast corner is weak and weakening while Chamblee and Brookhaven grow. It has little to do with our demographics, and not how much retail shopping or restaurants we can stuff in. It has to do with jobs, and businesses being here that will draw in more upscale people to add to our already changing demographic. We need a good business environment with plenty of space for strong, larger companies to settle in. Maybe if we were a city we could define our own plan and future and promote it effectively, instead of depending on DeKalb County to define (or ignore) us. Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Chamblee have a huge business base to support their growth. Do we?

"It's sad that you feel the need to come here and outright lie about yourself and the dire straights our economy is in. When you insult others you clearly give yourself away as an impostor. Now run along to another site to brag and troll about your faux juris doctor expertise."

210 apts. have been approved for the vacant strip shopping location (except for the Hickory House) directly across the street from Tucker Meridian's new retail center. Also, where the old Steak and Ale property, vacant for years, behind the Chevron gas station at LaVista Rd and Northlake Property, a developer has plans to build a 90 unit apt. project at this location and has already appeared before the city of Tuckers' community council, planning bd. and, most recently, last night before the city council. There will be once more appearance/presentation before the city council then they have the final vote on the project. Hard to believe 300 more apts. almost side by side in addition to other 200,000 sq ft. Tucker Meridian retail development onto our already heavily congested parkway during peak hours and most probably will become even worse once these projects are completed.

Costco may build a warehouse where North DeKalb Mall sits now. Northlake could not handle the traffic to support a mega warehouse. Already Shallowford Rd from I-85 to Briarcliff and Briarcliff to La Vista are at maximum capacity. I think most people avoid I-275 if possible. I wish they would implode the mall and create Northlake Park. An open green area with a small lake in the middle for the Canadian Geese to stop on their bi-annual visits to Atlanta. If not a park maybe the worlds largest Roller-Coaster!

I don't think they are going to bring back any stores that used to be there, no matter how much I would love to go to a Record Bar, Swiss Colony, Barnie's Coffee & Tea, Waldenbooks or Magic Pan again, let alone Kohls which still exists unlike the others on my list. If the anchors are still successful then maybe its time to go "open air" and tear down the main mall, keep the food court (but refill it with better choices) and call it a day. Or there's always the option to raze the whole thing and just let the Earth reclaim it.

Agree. I want less talk and more action from the owners of the mall. We have heard talk from Simon malls for over a decade. DO SOMETHING! You are the experts. Figure out a way to make the property a winner or sell it to someone that can.

The new owners plan to convert some space to medical offices, a good idea. It seems like the Northlake area is going more upscale, how about a decent bookstore? I think the buying audience has changed since Walden left. But I still miss Kohls!

The above comments about waiting for leases to run out before anything can happen may be accurate. It seems as if that is what's currently going on at N Dekalb mall. The waiting is tough with both of these places. I understand the secrecy. Wish they would at least throw us a bone from time to time on when will here something.

Chicken Little may disagree though as he/she lives in a different reality than the rest of us. But the apartments probably won't happen anyway as this deep recession we are still in will probably bankrupt all the developers.

Costco has been trying to get into the area for at least a decade at the also much-troubled North Dekalb Mall. There is some scuttlebutt that that deal may finally be getting don, but if not they would be a FABULOUS addition. I concur with thoughts of a larger format Kroger with Fuel. Bed, Bath also great. And new restaurants on an exterior front located food court like Perimeter or Cumberland Malls or and/or on outparcels!! Trader Joes too!

more on Northlake Parkway/East Side of I-285 (copied from NextDoor website covering 6,000 members in Tucker, Henderson/Briar/LaVista, Clarkston):

"Hickory House will stay at the same location.. everything else on that property will be demolished to make way for the 210 apts. owned by Marriott Fairfield Residential.. already approved by Tucker city council. l. As for the Northlake Inn? The city council DENIED a really nice senior living project which would have had 72 apts. with the top floor having 10-12 units set aside for Alzheimer residents. It was not a "memory care" center again, only those few units set aside for those with memory issues. There would have been an age restriction of 72 y/o.. and older.. was to have been private pay only.. ranging from $2800 to $4000/month. Plans showed a chapel, movie theater and lounge area for the residents. The entire front section facing the street would be left standing with total renovation using that as the front of the new senior living center. The hotel owners had entered into a contract early on with Fairfield for purchase of the back part of the hotel which would be included in the 210 apt development along with the empty retail space at the Hickory House. The reason given for the "denial" recommendation by John McHenry with the city planning dept. when it came before city council? It was better suited for "multi-use." Now there it sits.. no current plans as I understand it the last time I spoke with the owners. but the recent unanimous approval by city council for a 90 unit 5 STORY Senior living apt. project named Northlake Senior Apts. (age restriction 62 and older) on 3 acres where the old Steak and Ale has sat vacant for over 10 years brings up the question: if the Northlake Inn was denied becoming a senior living development because it was "better suited for multi-use development" then why wasn't the Steak and Ale proposed senior apt. development denied for the same reason? Better suited for multi-use? I saw the final plans for the Northlake Inn proposal and the bldg. would have been such a great addition to our Northlake area and so convenient for older citizens who wanted to move to a senior apt. convenient to shopping centers and restaurants without having to continue to drive or possibly not even own a car any longer. Such a disappointment.!. just doesn't seem fair that one senior apt was approved but not the other.. what more multi-use development could we possibly need right there in that area? Tucker/Meridian is 200,000 sq feet of retail area once it is fully occupied so what multi-use development could possibly be approved where the Northlake Inn still sits? Rumor has it that Taco Bell could possibly replace the existing Chevron station.. but nothing concrete on that one.as yet.. There has also been approval for a public storage facility right behind Fidelity Bank called Top Storage. There is one l located on N. Decatur Rd. down from the old Evans Restaurant. that is just like one to be built behind the Bank according to the attorney, Michelle Battle, who represented Top Storage . This has been a long writing but it answers in detail the question regarding the Northlake Inn."

I am sitting in the shrinking Simon Mall at Northlake eating good Asian food at the food court. The rest of the mall is always dead with the exception of Penny's. When Sears finally closes, Macy's files bankruptcy on the next failed Christmas season they will shutter this place. I propose that the forward thinking State that buys a community mall and converts it into an economic development center wins. Leave the food court in place. Created 2 year technical training schools in the existing vacant store spaces on the downstairs, while upstairs create small biz development centers with shared conference, technology, and office support. Then allow vendors for tech like computers, phones, etc. Near the food court. Put a loft in the food court atrium for 24 hr net cafes / E-Library where students study and network with WiFi access and shared terminal access. Have a state career services job office on sight to pair students with employers. Employers should drive course offerings for career fulfilment. A corporate partnership. Build an amp theater in the ridiculously large parking lot for local artist events and ticket sales. Convert one big box store into music and video studios. Allow locally grown farmers markets on weekends. Allow local hand craft and art sales only by kiosks in common areas. Space use solutions solved, community prospers.

This is the truest and realest comment I have seen about this!! The issue is not putting in retail stores...as many have said, they have come and gone. Also, one can travel to Perimeter mall, Lenox, within 15 or so minutes for the shopping ambience they seek. I purchased my home in Tucker 2 years ago because of how well priced they were, compared to Chamblee/Brookhaven. I'm a professional millennial (30) who's lived in the Sandy Springs/Dunwoody/Perimeter Mall area for 5 years. The Tucker/North Decatur was quite an adjustment. However, I love my little ranch mid-century modernish house and the price was right! The Northlake Mall place should be targeted towards millennials. Think about it...These are the people who largely moving from out of state for lifestyle change, careers, purchasing homes, maybe starting families, etc. Vinings has HD, and fortunately that side of town has about 1-2 universities (Kennesaw State, Southern Poly, now Kennesaw. I can't remember which else at the moment). This Northlake property should either be sold to some progressive yet corporate company looking to have a new headquarters, as HD is to Vinings. Alternatively, another good idea is to create a Ponce City Market or Star Provisions environment. Yes, there's no old factory warehouse or train tracks to revitalize but a development that could create affordable loft living, shops, restaurants and long or short term rentable working spaces. Those working in modern or millennial professions i.e., social media influencer, travel photographers, brand embassadors, lifestyle bloggist would have an provide an alternative work space option to Ponce City Market.

People now want a few things...nice lofty apartments or nice homes for purchase, restaurants with a fresh, relaxed hang out vibe, and areas to work. A simple retail fix of chain fast food, H&M and HomeGoods won't cut it.

All of you who want to hope on congested I-285 Westbound from Tucker have at it. The traffic is especially going to be worse the next few years as the new interchange at GA 400 is built. The traffic around Perimeter Mall is getting worse every day and one is just as likely to have their car broken into or stolen there as anywhere else. I read all the time about crime in the Alpharetta/Northpoint Mall area so just being on the edge of upscale homes and development isn't the answer. Think Northlake isn't in an upscale area, just drive along Briarcliff Rd. South of the mall, along some streets off Lavista Road and Henderson Rd. Lenox Mall has it's problems and so does Phipps Plaza but the security at Lenox Mall and Phipps Plaza is far better than at Perimeter Mall and especially Northlake Mall. The lights in the parking lots at both Perimeter and Northlake could be so much better but have enough security is the key.

I grew up near Northlake and remember Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor, as well as Magic Pan Creperie. Now as an old guy, I've joined the ranks of the mall walkers on rainy days.Sad to see how Northlake has declined - I think the food court is now down to maybe 5 choices?

This article is 8 months old now. Is there any more recent news. They could make an instant neighborhood improvement by just taking down that Northlake sign. That shouldn't be a hard thing to accomplish.

I would like to see a mixed use town like development sort of like Emory Point. They could also add a lot of green space and areas for people to gather. So, shopping, housing, restaurants, businesses, parks, sports, etc. Make it very walk able.

Well Sears is closing down and will be gone by the end of August 2018. The building has been sold and will most likely be torn down.

The mall has seen better days but since the North Dekalb Macy's closed down the Northlake location has picked up the business and has been busy daily. There is a huge amount of property surrounding the mall as this was built at the height of the shopping mall boom time.

People today like the outdoor shopping experience like Avalon or The Battery. The area can support this kind of shopping area and especially with all of the growth in the area. Sure it's not like Town Brookhaven, but it could be.

Asphalt moat. Bulldoze and hope to get Costco, Whole Foods (way better than TJ), Old Navy, Bed Bath Beyond and Ulta or Sephora. The neighborhood should be getting more upscale due to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s big project at I-85 and N Druid Hills.